Mapusa, a market town in Goa, is famous for its Friday market and a wide range of delicacies.

Mapusa is derived from Konkani terms ‘Map’ and ‘Sa’ meaning measure and fill. The city offers an exciting glimpse of Goa’s rural market structure. It was a strategic point for trading centuries ago. Travelers on a tour to Goa rush here to relish the experience of shopping in the Friday market and to enjoy the delicacies too.

Bodhgeshwar Temple and the Church of Our Lady of Miracles are also places of importance for the tourists. 

History of Mapusa

Mapusa is situated at the Mapusa River. The city was coined as ‘Bazaar Grande’ in 1580 by a Dutch Chronicler. History of Mapusa shows that the city was an important trading hub in coastal India many centuries ago. It is evident from the rural artifacts found in the famous Friday market.  It has the age old Gaunkari or Community Farming System where villages share profits. Apart from that, Mapusa is a nice mix of both traditional and modern architecture.

Tourism in Mapusa

Holidaying in India has always been a nice experience and Goa is the major destination for the tourists. Most of the tourists come here during winter season due to the mild weather. Mapusa is an important tourist place in Goa.

A trip to Mapusa must include the famed Friday market. It offers the tourists a fabulous experience of collecting the rural artifacts. The city market near the main square is really a place to visit. The market is also a nice joint for the foodies. The other tourist places to visit in Mapusa include Bodhgeshwar Temple, The Church of Our Lady of Miracles and the Swiss Chapel.

You may also fancy a visit to some other beaches in Goa like  Anjuna and Baga Beach. Close by, you can also make a trip to the Mayem Lake, Aguada Fort and Reis Magos Fort.

According to local folklore one’s wishes are fulfilled by visiting the Bodhgeshwar Temple once.  Shree Shantadurga Mandir yet another temple is located 14 kms from Mapusa at Dhargal and gets crowded during a celebration in December.  

The tour to Mapusa is also not complete without visiting the St. Jerome Church (the Milagres Church), which was built in 1674 and is well revered by both the Christians and the Hindus.

Though, Mapusa offers less sightseeing, yet the tour becomes a memorable one for the travelers. Easily affordable restaurants and mouth-watering food items like fruits, pickles, Goan spirits such as toddi and cashew fen are also the tempting factors for the holidaymakers in Mapusa.  

If you are on a package tour to South India, then Mapusa is definitely going to be a prime destination for your travel itinerary!